Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is huge service.

Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

And that figure is likely to have grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the total global gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.

But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if customers can not wager with self-confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt’s Gareth Moore observes: “Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.

“Not only is it a substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers.”

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test versus England at Lord’s last month.

Three of these gamers have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, but was banned last week for six months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations – not related to Mr Higgins – into snooker.

‘Honest’

David O’Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK’s most significant online sporting exchanges.

“If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that is good for wagering firms due to the fact that people will spend cash betting with confidence,” he says.

“If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering industry … it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.

“That is due to the fact that the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we might have to beware about’.”

‘Education’

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation explains: “The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee.”

His organisation represents males and females in 15 sports in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Association.

He thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to take on potential problems around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

“Through informing players about sports wagering you strengthen stability which remains in everyone’s interest,” he adds.

“If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt.”

‘Brand damage’

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.

“Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing players ‘you are going to be caught’.”

“It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly,” he adds.

“If it loses that then individuals do not wish to wager, that is not in betting companies’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

He stated that once a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was “incalculable”.

FA rules imply gamers are not allowed to wager on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger “brand damage” to football and its competitors.

So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

“We have to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the game,” he states. “Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back – mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

If this represents the “carrot” approach, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business betting in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

“The overwhelming majority of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable,” he says.

“But for some there is the temptation to … corruptly hinder the result of a sporting occasion.

“Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports wagering.”

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

“Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting,” he says.

“We will inform sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or cut [unlawful] activity”

In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.

‘Vulnerabilities’

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, which much helpful details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal investigation “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he states a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

“They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises.”